NEWSLETTER 159 SPRING 2013

Renaissance of Trevithick: Arthur Young assembling parts for the Puffing Devil. Reg. Charity 1 No. 246586 CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

Patience

As we come to the Annual General Meeting of 2013 we can look back onto some achievements that have eventually come to pass. I have a file that goes back ten years and deals with the previous owners of the former Holman Bros No. 3 site in Trevu Road, . They were sympathetic to our needs and we hoped that their development of the site would enable us to acquire a property for the Trevithick Society. That was not to be but the subsequent owners of the site kindly stepped in and suggested our use of the former Holman showroom building close to Camborne railway station. This Society made an offer that was very kindly accepted and solicitors are now discussing the terms of a 99-year lease. While the Cornish Engines Preservation Society owned a number of buildings, this will be the first ‘home’ for the Society in 78 years; now the work really starts. After a false start when a funding application failed, we have looked forward to regularising the listing and storage of tens of thousands of items acquired by this Society over the years. The current digitisation project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable us to assess what we have, where it is and put the results on-line so that we can share the remarkable industrial history of with researchers and educationalists everywhere. The recent recognition on BBC2 television of Richard Trevithick’s contribution to the advance of industrial and transport development has placed him amongst the most important inventors of all time. This has taken a long time but I must thank all those who built the replica of Trevithick’s 1801 Camborne road locomotive and demonstrated it to the world. That’s something that has also taken over ten years but the results have been very worthwhile. We have a lot of work ahead of us and always appreciate any assistance our members can provide.

Philip M Hosken

EDITORIAL

This is such a bumper edition of the Newsletter that there is no room for a report on the Puffing Devil’s winter sojourn. In actual fact there is little to report because the next outing for the engine is on Trevithick Day and the crew only need to assemble a week or so before that in order to give the engine a steam clean, a fresh coat of black heat- resistant paint, and sort out any minor maintenance issues.

Colin French

Established 1935 Copy date for next newsletter: June 15th 2013 2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Q and A

Dear Editor, Is there still mining in Cornwall?

It was good to read Kingsley’s Yes there is! And the people who excellent report on the London meeting of know were in .... the European Federation of Associations Margot Saher “WOW..... What of Industrial and Technical Heritage in a fascinating night the South Crofty the latest very interesting and informative presentation hosted by the East Cornwall issue of the newsletter (no 158). Branch of the Society was”. He went to the heart of the matter Chris Davie, Kevin Williams, Keith in pin-pointing the clear message from Russ and Sue Bradbury of Western United the presentations given at the meeting Mines gave members an amazing insight that volunteers are to be appreciated as of the work being carried out to bring tin playing a vital role in the preservation and mining back to Cornwall. running of industrial heritage sites all round At the end of the presentation Europe and we might add essential in the there was an absorbing question and preservation and running of supporting answer session that many of the audience associations such as the Trevithick felt would be appreciated by other Society, the fore-runner of similar societies members; so here is a summary of those elsewhere in the UK and on the Continent. questions. He himself showed his appreciation of I apologise if I have missed the role of volunteers in acknowledging anyone’s question. It doesn’t mean to say the unstinted generosity of the Greater they were not important, just that I was London Industrial Archaeology Society and too absorbed by the answers to take all its volunteers in supporting the meeting. I the notes! The South Crofty Question and should add that hire of the Toynbee Hall, answer session: where the meeting took place and where appropriately Marconi first demonstrated Will old infrastructure be re-used? his wireless in the UK, was made possible Much of the existing infrastructure through the support and generosity of the is unsuitable for trackless mining. Association for Industrial Archaeology, Therefore, the majority of the infrastructure with which the Trevithick Society has a will be new but there will have to be work fraternal, one might even say parental, undertaken to make the old workings connection. safe. The AIA represents the IA sector at national level, as E-Faith does at Will minerals other than tin be extracted? European level, and has a conference with The primary source of income associated visits each year. This year this will be tin, but also possibly associated event is to be held in Dundee from 8th-15th copper, zinc and tungsten. Other minerals August and Trevithick Society members exist but are unlikely to contribute to the are welcome, indeed urged, to attend. The project economics. AIA also arranges visits to IA sites abroad - http://www.industrial-archaeology.org/ Are radioactive minerals an issue? click on ‘events’ and ‘overseas visits’ - and There are no issues in the new this year is ‘Roaming the Ruhr’ from 13th- development area, but parts of the old 18th May. workings will be sealed off due to high Paul Saulter. levels of Radon. 3 Will Roskear Shaft be used? county council are valid and mining can Once that section has been de- be undertaken despite concerns raised watered it will be used as a ventilation by UNESCO. There may well be a shaft. Williams shaft will also be re-opened misunderstanding at UNESCO about the as a ventilation shaft. nature of the mining operation, and once this has been clarified there should be no What will happen to the mine waste? conflict between the heritage status and The waste rock will be processed mineral extraction at South Crofty. by a contractor to be used as aggregate, waste tailings from the mill will be used to How will the ore be transported from the back fill workings. (paste fill) mine? There will be approximately one How many personnel will be employed container a week leaving by road to a underground? port. There are 45 people employed currently at the site. This will be increased Will renewable energy be used? to 85 during the development phase and A power survey will be conducted then rise to 200-300 when production but it is probable that the mine will have starts. Of these 80-100 will be working to provide a major part of its demand on underground. site. Because of the nature of its power requirements the base load will best be What is the situation regarding UNESCO met by gas or diesel generators, although opposition to mining within the World the feasibility of using wind power as a Heritage site? supplement will be considered. The mining permits were issued to South Crofty after a long period of How about using hot rocks? consultation when no objections relating Unfortunately, the temperature to the heritage site status were raised. gradient at the depths to be worked will Therefore, the permits issued by Cornwall be too small to provide power. Drilling

An impression of the planned future of Cornish Mining, the new mill at Tuckingmill. Note that:

• There are no new head frames as all the ore will come up an incline into the mill building. • There are no waste tips as all the deads will be converted to aggregate. • There will be no tailing dams as the mill waste will be backfilled underground. • The Iconic South Crofty headframe will remain unused as a landmark. 4 deeper to utilise geothermal energy will • Reconcile current and historic require prohibitive capital investment that resource data. will make it uneconomic with the current • Water discharge testing. technology. • Commence de-watering Dolcoath. • Advance the decline 250 metres. Will further financing be needed to enter • Drive cross cuts to the south at three production? levels to intersect resources in South Yes, this will be raised through Entral and Dolcoath Main lodes. the Canadian markets once the status of • Cross cut to north for drill access to the reserves have been confirmed. Roskear lodes. Continue drilling to north and south as decline advances. Are you prospecting other sites in • Cut levels and commence and Cornwall? longitudinal sampling in each of the The company holds mineral rights two lodes. to many other sites in Cornwall which • Metallurgical test work. could be economic to mine. However, • Resource update. South Crofty has such a high potential that • Assess potential for early production. the company will focus its efforts on that operation and leave other companies to The evening was a fantastic develop reserves elsewhere. It is aware opportunity for the Society members to that other companies are conducting gain an insight in to what could become investigative drilling on other sites. a new chapter in Cornish engineering. Many thanks from the members must go What’s next? to Sue Bradbury for arranging the talk, and Chris Davies explained the three to Chris Davies, Kevin Williams and Keith phases of development that will be required Russ of Western United mines for their before the above images become reality. very interesting presentation. In summary the next phase of operations will be: Cheryl Manley

An artist’s impression of the new mine from the air. 5 them during previous annual meetings. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS Perranporth is the birthplace and last resting place of the car designer, Donald During recent weeks, while the Healey. Our AGM weekend coincides BBC has been broadcasting its view of the with the 25th anniversary of his death rise of steam power and development of and the Healey family, of cider farm the railway system, the Society’s in-trays fame, will host the Healey Drivers’ Club have filled with interesting e-mails from annual international meeting based at the the membership. While we know they Ponsmere Hotel, Perranporth. have an interest in Cornwall’s industrial Petrol head members will be history, they have revealed very catholic aware that there are significant differences interests. These have ranged from between the earlier Healeys and the Scott two-stroke motorcycles to aircraft, Austin-Healeys. The first were frequently orchestral music, wherries, hot air engines, powered by Riley engines whilst the Austin- an Alvis 12/50 and twins; and, at the time Healeys, of course, used the A90 engine. of writing, we haven’t looked at the many The difference extends to the allegiance of returned questionnaires that note your the owners and the different clubs to which other interests. We thought you might be they belong; it can sometimes be a little interested in the following. confusing. While details of this event can be found at: P.M.H. http://www.healeydriversclub.co.uk/ Events.html TREVITHICK AND THE the Austin-Healey Owners’ Club DAKAR RALLY International Weekend event is in Scotland, see http://www.ah2013.eu

You may not know this. There is P.M.H. a US web site devoted to motorcycling up to Dakar Rally standard that surprisingly includes a great deal about steam engines NEW MUSEUM and Trevithick. It wholeheartedly supports the Cornish inventor and tok-tokkie has The Classic Aircraft Trust has accumulated one of the greatest sources outgrown its premises at Coventry and is of contemporary drawings and illustrations currently moving its Air base Museum to on the planet for anyone interested in the the Aero Enterprise Zone near evolution of steam power, Trevithick or in Cornwall. even motor cycles. See: There will be 33 operational aircraft in the collection and they are http://www.advrider.com/forums/ flying in as I write. They will include a de showthread.php?t=759395 Havilland Vampire, formerly from the Swiss air force but now in RAF livery, a Venom, Highly recommended. a Gloster Meteor and a Nimrod. There will be pleasure flights in a de Havilland P.M.H. Dragon Rapide biplane, the type that used to fly to the Isles of Scilly, and enthusiasts PERRANPORTH are invited to become members and join ATTRACTION delivery and event flights. The museum is set to open at the end of March and there are details at Members attending this year’s http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england- AGM might like to know there are a couple cornwall-18614897 of attractions that were not available to Of course, there are more aircraft

6 at Flambards, near RNAS Culdrose, One small disappointment is that . Dr.Tehmina Goskar’s talk on 12 April is having to be postponed until January next P.M.H. year. However we are delighted that Pete Joseph, our curator (and author of our MONTHLY MEETINGS AT Society publication, “So Very Foolish: a KING EDWARD MINE History of the Wherry mine, ”; do buy it !) will fill in with his talk “Sark’s Hope Silver Mine.” It’s a second outing, but few Our 2013 season got off to a good heard it before (very bad weather I seem start with Anthony Power, the National to recall). Trust’s manager at Levant. Anthony had previously held a similar position K.J.T.R. at Morwellham, and his illustrated talk outlined the origins of the working port and OWEN BAKER its industries, and its subsequent rise and fall as a heritage museum. A question and answer session explored the width of the After editing eight issues of The subject. 21 people enjoyed the evening, Journal of the Trevithick Society, Owen and probably all of us learnt something we Baker has decided that the time has come hadn’t known before. to move on. Sadly for many of us, who have On 8 February Lesley Trotter come to value his thoughtful approach introduced us to the Cornish wives ‘left and sage advice, he has also decided behind’ when their menfolk emigrated to leave the Society’s Council. He has – a hitherto unexplored dimension of the assured us, however, that he will remain Great Migration. Illustrations of people and an active member and will be available references to letters revealed the extent of for consultation. I am sure that he will not the research Lesley is doing – and she would hesitate to make his views known when he like to hear more. Anyone with possible feels it necessary. information is asked to contact, in the first It is no exaggeration to say that place, the Programme Secretary, details since taking over the Journal in 2005 inside the back cover of the Newsletter. On Owen has transformed it. Under his care it the evening Colin Short was delighted to now has a glossy cover, colour illustrations see his family name among a Liskeard list throughout and costs the Society no more – and recalled a family tradition that some than it did when he took it on, despite an distant relatives ‘had gone’. But most of us increase in the number of pages. The who had roots in the area soon realised quality of the Journal was recognised by we had a good chance of having someone the Association for Industrial Archaeology in this category. One member visiting who awarded the 2009 issue the accolade from up-country recalled direct ancestors of best in the UK. within living memory. A new and important Owen has been a tower of dimension of social history captured our strength to the Society and has made a imagination. 27 people came this time. great contribution as Editor and a member We’re hoping more and more of Council. We understand his decision people will want to come to the monthly to reduce his commitments but we shall meetings. It would be nice to have the miss him greatly. It falls to me to maintain problem of how to fit everybody in! the high standard set by Owen with the Our meeting on 8 March will Journal, a task that is a little daunting but have gone by the time you are reading lessened by the fine fettle in which Owen this: Eric Rabjohns will have spoken, we leaves it. trust, on … “A typical day on the & Chasewater Railway.” Graham Thorne 7 RICHARDS II AND III CORNISH FILM FEATURES TREVITHICK AND LOCO The recent controversy over the final resting place of Richard Plantagenet As we go to press we III has raised the inevitable issue about the learn of a forthcoming pay film on-line repatriation of Richard Trevithick II. made in Cornwall that features Trevithick The incredibly fortunate find of and the Puffing Devil. This is just for King Richard III’s bones in a Leicester car your information and we haven’t web-site park is very unlikely to find an equivalent details. We haven’t seen it but it is called in East Hill Cemetery, Dartford. For those ‘Pawl Dunbar’s Cornwall’ and, knowing who have thoughts about Trevithick’s last some of the characters involved it is likely resting place they should consider that the to have a political bias. It might have some location of his grave is unknown. There good steam footage though. was a great deal of controversy in the local press at the turn of the Twentieth Century P.M.H. and I can give details to anyone who is interested. He was not buried in a pauper’s LEVANT REPORT grave. There are regular records available for the burials from 1856. Community records can be consulted prior to that During the winter period Levant is date, see http://www.dartford.gov.uk/by- only open to visitors on ‘Greasy Gang’ day category/community-and-living2/deaths,- on Fridays. On these days the Whim may funerals-and-cremations/cemeteries/ run but this depends upon any maintenance grave-location that needs to be done to the engine. The The cemetery is bounded by Greasy Gang has always evolved over the a hillside road and was contained by an years with new participants coming and earth retaining wall that collapsed many going, but is still very active in keeping years ago. The story is that many of the Levant up and running. We have many gravestones, graves and bones cascaded other volunteers that help with numerous down the hill. The bones were re-interred aspects of running the mine site and we and the graveyard converted into a park are grateful for all the assistance that with the remaining gravestones set against we can get. The site is now open three the surrounding wall. days a week for the start of this season’s As far as we can ascertain steaming. Trevithick was happy in Dartford. The The repair to the dump valve people there are very proud of their adopted mechanism for the condenser has proved son although he was there less than two to be satisfactory and various valves years. There are several plaques to his have been re-packed in readiness for the memory in the town; he has a peaceful upcoming season. The level indicator made final resting place. Dartford has a rich by Adrian Felix some years ago is currently industrial history but now shows signs undergoing a modification to the gearing of industrial decay. It holds an annual so that a counter-rotating hand can also be Industrial & Trevithick Day, this year in fitted as per the original device. A clever May. Put ‘Dartford Industrial Trevithick automatic reversing ratchet arrangement Celebration’ into Google and several web driven from the valve gab gear was also pages will come up. made by George Smillie at the same time, but it still remains a mystery as to how P.M.H. the level indicator was originally driven. It was one of the items taken by the scrap man in 1935 before Jack Trounson and Tregonning Hooper could stop him! We would love to hear from anyone that could 8 enlighten us to the original form of drive as which when released at low water caused it doesn’t seem to match any of the usual the offending silt to be washed away and methods used on winding engines. creating a channel for shipping. The down An expanded and up-to-date side to this ingenious scheme was that edition of the John Corin Levant book is a quantity of the silt was deposited on to now ready for publication which will include the Penpol or Foundry side of the harbour details of the whole site including the and so blocking that arm and access to dressing floors and equipment. Thanks Harvey’s quays. Harvey’s retaliated by are extended to Pete Joseph for his help building a similar pound on their side and in arranging this. so created Carnsew Pool with its sluice gates. Needless to say when Harvey’s Ron Flaxman. operated their sluice the reverse action took place and they in turn blocked the Copperhouse access. This almost comic SLUICE GATES state of affairs lasted for many years with much legal wrangling. It is hoped to Readers will no doubt appreciate bring the Harvey’s sluices back into use that Hayle is a linear settlement situated at for occasional demonstrative purposes the confluence of two small rivers joining in the not too distant future. When the together to create the Hayle estuary. Copperhouse sluices were replaced in The eastern arm formed the waterway 1971, by the then National Rivers Authority access for Copperhouse with its famous with modern equipment, the old gates were engineering company, originally the buried as they were of no use. During the Cornwall Copper Company later becoming recent excavations for the new road along Sandys, Carne and Vivian. The western the North Quay they were re-discovered. arm of the estuary formed the waterway for Much thought was given to their future by access to Foundry with its equally famous various organisations in Hayle but nothing company Harvey & Company. The estuary, came forth. It was even suggested that the however was very prone to silting thus Trevithick Society might like to have them, preventing access for shipping. To solve but at eleven tonnes each, and given their the problem the Copperhouse company size, we declined. The gates were then constructed a barrier within which were moved to the far end of North Quay to the two sluice gates and at high tide the water contractors’ compound to await their fate. was let in to form Copperhouse Pool. At the It looked likely they would be cut up and top of the tide the sluices were closed thus disposed of but at the last minute it was trapping a considerable volume of water, decided to move them to the Memorial

9 Walk, the original line of being made and pedestrian or kissing 1837, where they are now standing in gates have been introduced in a number the near vertical roughly half way along of places to allow access for the public to Copperhouse Pool for all to view. explore the flora and fauna. The volunteers are also finding them useful, not for kissing TORDOWN QUARRY ENGINE you understand, but it means when traversing the site it saves climbing over the field gates. Many of the volunteers are In the list of credits acknowledging not in the first flush of youth so climbing the help received during the project in the over or possibly limboing under was not last newsletter the name of Peter Stanier popular, especially if carrying tools! was unfortunately omitted. Back in 1999 The refurbishment of the dippa Peter’s volume South West Granite was wheel is nearing completion. Using published on the history of the granite greenheart timber has certainly put industry. During his researches for the strain on one or two tools as it is a very book Peter visited Tordown Quarry, took dense, therefore heavy, wood to use. photographs of the engine and noted the Eric Rabjohns, Tony Clarke and the mill details on the engine plate. Subsequently manager Nigel MacDonald have put in the plate was removed, and its whereabouts a huge effort, and many hours, into the are now unknown but he was able to rebuild but the end is now in sight. furnish us with the engine details shown in On the western side of the article. Many thanks Peter. Home Field, or the left hand side field as you drive in to KEM, runs the Mineral K.J.T.R. Tramway. have recently given this the “once over” and it is now JOURNAL MAILING resurfaced and re-profiled in an attempt to control surface water. Adjacent to this path runs a small stone surface flue which Members with a fetish for weird has interested us for some time and over facts and figures, and I suspect there are the last few weeks Alan Bingley and Tony several, may be interested that the last Bunt have beavered away with slasher mailing containing the newsletter, journal, and strimmer and cleared the area for membership cards etc. amounted to access and investigation. The flue ran next twenty four Post Office sacks weighing in to the pathway for some hundred and fifty at 276kg. or in real money, just under five feet which, in working days, disgorged its and a half hundredweight. toxic contents into the chimney it shared with the nearby stamps engine house. KING EDWARD MINE This chimney has sadly been removed save for, we hope, the footings which are currently camouflaged by a heap of spoil The winter weather has not and stone. It is hoped to excavate this and stopped progress at King Edward although make it a feature for the viewing public. At at times one was left wondering if any the other end of the flue it is known there trees would be left standing or if the roof was a calciner or roaster, used basically would be still in situ. Fortunately no major to remove any arsenic contamination damage was suffered; the worst being a in the tin ore. With recent research we couple of branches brought down from the have now learnt it was a Brunton pattern trees giving the field crew a happy hour calciner and introduced into Cornwall circa with the chain saw. 1835. The Brunton was the first calciner Progress is being made spending to allow continuous production, a big step the “Your Heritage” grant with some when introduced as, up to that time, ore preliminary archaeological investigation had to be treated in batches. We now

10 know the calciner’s rotating hearth was of inches diameter and a depth of four inches eighteen foot diameter, surprisingly large but again with an overflow. The left hand for our site. It was hoped that it would be recess has largely vanished due to the discovered under the large dump at the aforementioned damage. The footprint of site but recent investigation has proved it the stone as it stands is 55in. x 19in. and has been removed, or possibly much of it 11in. in height. The three main recesses having been bulldozed to one side when are not equidistant apart so probably did an access was needed. As we go to press not accommodate machinery. two of the tie bars have been discovered, Any ideas folks? Answers to be a particular feature of the Brunton. Further written on the back of a cheque payable to excavation will hopefully produce some the writer! more of the ironwork and maybe evidence of the waterwheel which drove it – but that K.J.T.R. is for the future. The Harvey compressor in PUBLICATIONS the winder house as now been largely refurbished and assembled by Frank Kneebone. Once the routing and fitting of We have been overwhelmed by the exhaust is achieved the machine will the success of our book, From Holman then we operational on compressed air. Brothers to CompAir, and the first print is now exhausted. If you see a copy, snap it K.J.T.R. up. We now need to consider whether to reprint the book and, to help us come to CAN YOU HELP? a decision, would those who still want to purchase a copy, please let either Kingsley Rickard or myself know. This will help us to As we go to press we have received establish future demand. a large granite stone at King Edward Mine A new Society book about Levant which, so far, has defied all explanation. Mine should go on sale in the next two to Referring to the photograph the stone is three months. This incorporates much of five feet long but has suffered damage to the content of John Corin’s book, which the right hand side as about five inches first appeared as long ago as 1992 and has been removed or fallen off. The three has been in print ever since. The new book main recesses are nine inches in diameter contains more information about the mine’s at surface reducing to seven inches at five history and the archaeological remains on inches deep. No wear is apparent within the site. It also includes new maps and a these recesses but tool marks are. Each self-guided walk. Full details will appear in hole has an overflow with a two inch high the next Newsletter. weir to retain a certain amount of liquid. At each end there is a smaller recess of five Graham Thorne

11 Within the imposing engine house INTERESTING STEAM IN THE are four rare examples of Woolf compound EAST MIDLANDS rotative beam engines built by the local Leicester engineering establishment of Among the many steam-related Gimson & Company. The engines are Industrial Heritage locations throughout rated at 200 HP within an operating range the East Midlands there are four sites of 12 to 19 RPM pumping 208000 gallons worthy of a visit by anyone interested in of sewage per hour. Steam was supplied steam winding and pumping engines. by two Lancashire type boilers to each These sites are Abbey Pumping station engine from the adjacent boiler house, at Leicester, Papplewick Water Pumping now housing a modern Cochrane type Station & Bestwood Colliery Winder near boiler, which is used on steaming days. Nottingham and Pleasley Pit Winders near Upon closure the station Mansfield. Both Abbey and Papplewick underwent renovation and opened as a Pumping Stations hold steaming days museum in 1972 displaying the original several times a year when engines can pumping engines and displays connected be seen in steam. Bestwood and one to the water and sewage treatment industry of the Pleasley engines can be seen in in the old boiler house. Within the pumping operation driven by an electric motor in a station grounds there is a collection of similar fashion to Michell’s Winding Engine items of industrial archaeology including a at Pool. All four sites are situated a short narrow gauge railway and a steam driver distance east of the M1 motorway with Ruston Bucyrus excavator. easy access from it. Entry to the museum is free on non steam days with a fee payable on Abbey Pumping Station steaming days. Car parking is available just a short walk away in the adjacent National Space Centre car park; minimum fee £2.00 (June 2012). Check website www.abbeypumpingstation.org for latest information concerning opening times, etc.

Bestwood Winding Engine House

Abbey Pumping Station is located north of Leicester city centre, OS Grid Ref. SK588067, adjacent to the National Space Centre, and accessible from junction 21A on the M1. The station was built in the grand Victorian style by Leicester City Corporation to pump raw sewage to the treatment plant at Beaumont Leas about 1½ miles away on the northwest side of the city. Opened in 1891 it continued pumping until 1964 when electric pumps took over the duty.

12 Bestwood Winding Engine House (110 fathoms) with a payload of about 3 is all that remains of the once vast coal tons per wind. and iron/steel complex of the Bestwood The engine ceased to be used for Coal & Iron Company. The engine house coal winding when a drift, equipped with is situated on the eastern outskirts of conveyor belts, was sunk during the NCB Bestwood village, OS Grid Ref. SK556476, years to transport coal to the surface for at the entrance to Bestwood Country Park processing. The downcast shaft was then with easy access from junctions 26 or 27 used for winding men and materials. of the M1 motorway. Bestwood village The Bestwood Colliery Winding is located on the northern outskirts of House Volunteers have refurbished the Nottingham, approximately 5 miles from engine to operating condition and have the city centre. installed an electric motor allowing the The ironworks closed in 1928 engine to be slowly rotated via the winding with the mine, sunk in 1872, still in rope. Long term plans are to return the operation right through to closure in 1971. engine to steam using a boiler similar to It was Nationalised in 1947 forming part Levant. A glass sided lift has been installed of the East Midlands Division, South to give easy access to most parts of the Nottinghamshire Area, of the National engine house. The engine house is open Coal Board. Saturday mornings during the spring After closure the mine site and dirt and summer months manned by the tip were cleared and landscaped forming volunteers. Free parking is available just Bestwood Country Park under the joint yards away from the engine house in the administration of Nottinghamshire County Country Park car park. Google ‘Bestwood Council and the local Gedling Borough Winding House’ as several websites give Council. The only buildings not demolished the latest details re opening times, news, were the downcast shaft engine house etc. and headgear together with one of the old electric sub-stations. Papplewick Pumping Engine Bestwood Winding House contains the sole remaining example of a vertical twin cylinder winding engine in the UK and has been restored to running condition by the Bestwood Colliery Winding House Volunteers. The refurbished headgear which stands over the capped downcast shaft has been equipped with an endless rope driven by the winder drum to give the impression of winding in operation. The sub-station has also been refurbished and contains photographs and memorabilia of Bestwood mine and iron/ steel complex. The vertical twin cylinder was supplied by R.J. & E. Coupe, Worsley Mesnes Ironworks of Wigan, Lancashire, in 1876 and is still in its original location. The two cylinders, directly under each end of the winding drum shaft are 36 inch bore by 72 inch stroke operating at a steam pressure of 80 lb/sq inch, rating the engine at 1500 horsepower. The drum diameter is 18 feet winding from a depth of 220 yards 13 Papplewick Pumping Engine is details of steaming days. located about 4 miles north of Bestwood The two identical low pressure Colliery Winding Engine and is north east double acting rotative beam engines were of Papplewick village with easy access supplied by James Watt & Co. at a cost of from junction 29 of the M1 motorway. OS £5525.00 each, including installation. Each Grid ref. SK583520. engine has a cylinder bore of 46 inches The station was built by the with a stroke of 7 feet 6 inches rated at Nottingham Corporation Water Department 140 HP at 11.5 rpm at a steam pressure between 1881 and 1884 to pump water of 50 psi. The beam is 25 feet long with from a 200 foot well sunk into the Bunter a weight of 24 tons connected to a crank Sandstone supplying drinking water to the with 20 feet diameter flywheel weighing 24 then growing city of Nottingham and was tons. Both engines are installed side by part of a network of reservoirs and pumping side in a grand Victorian Gothic Revival stations located around the county. engine house complete with elaborately The engines finally stopped decorated columns, stained glass pumping after 85 years in 1969, but kept on windows and polished brass & mahogany stand-by until 1971, when four submersible woodwork. The pumping capacity of each electric pumps took over the duty. In 1974 engine was 15000000 gallons of water per a Trust was formed to conserve the site day. It is thought that these two engines as a static museum which included the were the last to be built by the James Watt Gothic Revival engine house complete Company. with original beam engines, carriage shed Steam was supplied by six hand- & stables, workshop & forge, storehouse, fired horizontal Galloway Lancashire complete steam raising plant with 120 feet boilers operating at a pressure of 50 psi high chimney, Victorian covered reservoir when pumping, about 25 psi during present with impressive vaulted roof, covered coal steaming day operations when one boiler is store & weighbridge, a 1250000 gallon used to supply steam. When pumping water cooling pond and extensive grounds. three boilers were in steam with three on Since 1974 the Trust have stand-by or maintenance. The boilers were developed the site to include all the built by the Manchester company of W. & J. original features plus new visitor facilities Galloway supplying number 1 & 6 boilers including café & toilet block, several other in 1881 with the remaining four installed steam engines and related equipment in 1883. Each boiler is 29 feet long by 7 and a miniature railway. Check www. feet diameter with hand-fired hearths. The papplewickpumpingstation.co.uk for full boilers are connected by an underground

14 flue to the brick and stonework chimney life at Linby. The winding engine man, which is located across the yard from the responding to the correct shaft signals boiler house. Steam Experience Days are starts the engine from rest, admitting available to carefully supervised groups steam to the cylinders and “driving” the which include operating the beam engines engine to the shaft depth indicator, bringing and firing a Lancashire boiler. The original the engine to rest in line with the landing store/workshop/forge units are located marks on the drum rim and applying the adjacent to the stables and carriage shed brakes. The engine is then put in reverse and have displays of tools & mechanical and another winding is started, again to equipment used when the steam pumps the correct shaft signals. Visitors to the were in operation together with several engine house are allowed to walk around small steam engines that are in operation the engine, within the safety barriers, when on steaming days. it is in operation. Also located at Papplewick is a Adjacent to the Linby winder horizontal twin cylinder winding engine house are other examples of steam engines from nearby Linby Colliery which is in including a Stanton Triple Expansion operation on steam days. The colliery Engine, which is also in operation during was sunk by Linby Collieries Ltd around steaming days, together with several small 1870 with production commencing in steam engines located in the stores and 1875 continuing until closure in 1988. The workshop. mine was Nationalised in 1947 forming part of the East Midlands Division, South Pleasley Pit Steam Winding Engines Nottinghamshire Area of the NCB. The engine was installed at No.2 shaft at Linby Pleasley Pit is located on the in 1922 winding at about 300 tons per hour north-western outskirts of Pleasley village from a depth of 450 feet (225 fathoms) until just off the A6191 Mansfield to Chesterfield replaced by an electric winder in 1982. trunk road, about 3 miles to the east of Over 4 million tons of coal were raised junction 29 of the M1 motorway. OS Grid during its working life. Upon closure and Red. SK500644. with generous assistance from British Coal Pleasley Colliery was sunk by the engine was dismantled at Linby and the Stanton Iron & Coal Company in re-housed at Papplewick in a new winding 1872/4 and closed in 1983. The mine was house. The first steaming day at its new Nationalised in 1947 forming part of the home was on 21st August 1990. East Midlands Division, North Derbyshire Manufactured and supplied by Area, of the NCB. Robey & Co of Lincoln the twin cylinder The two winding engines installed engine has a bore of 24 inches with a initially were horizontal twin cylinder with a stroke of 40 inches at a steam pressure of bore and stroke of 40 inches X 72 inches 120 psi producing about 900 horsepower for the north engine and 32 inches X 72 when winding coal. Steam is admitted to inches for the south engine, both built the cylinders via Robey Patent Drop Valves by Worsley Mesnes Ltd of Wigan. Both and exhausts directly to atmosphere. The engines were installed back to back in a engine layout is standard for a twin cylinder single engine house built between the horizontal with each engine connected two shafts. In 1904 the north winding to the winding drum by conventional engine was replaced with one supplied connecting rod and crank. The drum is by the Lilleshall & Co Ltd, Oakengates, 72 inches wide with a diameter of 108 Shropshire. The south engine was replaced inches weighing in around 24 tons. Rope in 1922 by one supplied by Markham & Co speed, when winding coal, was 32 feet per Ltd, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. second. North Engine – Lilleshall During steaming days the engine horizontal twin cylinder with a bore of 40 is operated as it was during its working inches X 72 inch stroke developing around 15 1500 HP at a steam pressure of 90 psi it, was one of utter chaos with years of winding from the 520 yard (260 fathoms) accumulated debris and plant life, including deep North or downcast shaft. a tree growing in one of the engines which South Engine – Markham had to be removed before restoration work horizontal twin cylinder with a bore of 36 could commence. The Lilleshall engine inches X 72 inch stroke developing around has been fully restored and fitted with an 3000 HP at a steam pressure of 150 psi electric motor to enable the engine to be winding from the 862 yards (431 fathoms) worked during Open Days. The Markham South or upcast shaft. engine has been stripped down and is in Upon closure in 1983 the site the process of being restored to a working was cleared except for the winding house engine, hopefully powered by an electric complex, although some demolition had motor. See www.pleasley-colliery.org. started on the roofs of the winding house uk for latest information on restoration with complete removal on the North winder progress and events. and two thirds removed on the South. The All four sites offer the site was officially abandoned in October enthusiast an insight into the design and 1993. Grade 2 Listing was obtained in manufacturing methods for pumping and October 1986 on the remaining surface winding applications of the late 19th and buildings and scheduled as an Ancient early 20th century. To walk into these Monument in 1996. engine houses and experience the smell The Friends of Pleasley Pit and noise of an engine in motion by steam Preservation Group was formed in 1995 is unforgettable. with a view to restoring the engines and winding house complex. With the Norman Tarry aid of Lottery grants, aid from the local authorities and hours and hours of hard graft by the restoration team the winding house complex is being restored to its former glory. The state of the interior of the winding house complex that greeted the restoration team, when they first entered 16 credited Trevithick with his tremendous RENAISSANCE OF achievement but the underhand deeds of TREVITHICK Humphry Davy and Davies Gilbert robbed him of the fame that accrued to James Watt and George Stephenson. It is now thirteen years since the While not detracting from the boiler of this Society’s replica of Trevithick’s ingenuity and work of these two great 1801 steam carriage first appeared in men, the first improved the atmospheric Camborne on Trevithick Day 2000. On engine of Thomas Newcomen and that occasion Jon Eastman stoked it to invented a number of remarkable things simply produce steam. The following year while the other was responsible for much the completed vehicle climbed Camborne of the railways system in this country, we Hill for the first time and, on Christmas must not overlook Trevithick’s supreme Eve 2001, it celebrated Capt’n Dick’s contribution to transport and the Industrial 200th anniversary by climbing it again and Revolution. Without Trevithick’s individual patiently burbling outside Tyack’s Hotel invention of a complete high-pressure while its crew and their friends enjoyed a steam engine it is very likely that the world traditional goose dinner. would have had to wait some time before The purpose of the replica was such an engine evolved from the combined to commemorate the genius displayed work of others. by Richard Trevithick, the Cornishman We found that even in the streets who invented the successful high- of Camborne the significance of Trevithick’s pressure steam engine. The books and genius was not fully appreciated. His climb pamphlets a couple hundred years ago of Camborne Hill was understood more

17 selected and appointed. John Sawle was a director of the company, the others being Frank Okuno, a direct descendent of Trevithick, Colin French and the writer. The company needed funding and the major portion (c. £40k) came from the Government Office of the South West. This was supplemented by the Tanner Trust and Kerrier D.C. However, the majority of the funding came by way of time, skill, facilities and equipment from about forty suppliers who sought no recompense for their work other than the feeling of well being that one day their contribution would see the name of Trevithick suitably placed in the Hall of Fame. We must not overlook the immeasurable contribution made by the directors and staff of CompAir-Holman, the loss of their facilities from the folk song that celebrated the means that it is unlikely that event than from anything that was taught such a vehicle will ever be built again in in schools. There was little knowledge Camborne. of the importance of the Cornishman’s As no drawings existed of the contribution to the advance of technology. original steam carriage (were there ever So, how has the Society begun to any?) John Sawle went to the Science restore Trevithick’s credibility? While his Museum in London armed with a tape work is well documented in contemporary measure, note book and camera to record books and leaflets it was necessary to build details of the 1806 Trevithick ‘puffer’ engine a replica of his first steam carriage. If we that had been built at Bridgnorth. From were to lobby for Trevithick’s recognition those details he prepared the drawings a solid, full-sized working demonstration from which the conceptual replica was was essential. The people we wished built. An essential contribution were the to impress were very unlikely to read or wooden patterns for the moulds crafted appreciate the content of the true history by Nigel Watts and the wheels that were books. made in Somerset. The Society formed a separate The volunteer engineers who company called Cornish Steam & worked alongside the engineers in the Engineering Co Ltd to undertake this work Holman No 5 works included Arthur Young, and, following an appeal by the writer David Bray and the late David Jenkin. It on BBC Radio Cornwall, John Sawle was a proud day when the machine was was appointed as its designer and chief connected to an air line and it worked! engineer. Accountants and solicitors were Soon after that it went, as Trevithick had 18 intended but never achieved, on a journey other end of the line at Abercynon. Our that had taken 200 years to complete. At link to officialdom was Glyn Bowen. Tehidy it was televised and sound recorded The National Railway Museum by Chris Blount of BBC Radio Cornwall. chose to recognise Trevithick’s 200th Following its debut on Camborne anniversary with an event called Hill it was a popular attraction at all manner Railfest200. We were there with our road- of gatherings from a village fete at Bal West going loco amongst all the engines that ran to a trip though the streets of Falmouth on rails. There was amazement among the in connection with the Se-Tec 2001 railway folk who could not believe that the conference on the future use of steam. road locomotive, or motor car, predated We went to an air day at RNAS Culdrose their railway engines. It was a ten day visit but, try as we might, it never took off. We by Kingsley and me. Let us call it a period started going as far as the Kew Bridge of very smoky enlightenment in York that Steam Museum in London. It was not long lost some of its thinly veneered Trevithick before we could list fifty such outings. This coating when news came in that the Flying meant a lot of hard work shovelling and Scotsman was on its way from Euston. All oiling for a crew that included John Sawle, attention was immediately diverted away Arthur Young, Bill Carter, Colin French and from the bicentenary until loco number Kingsley Rickard. There was a demand 4472 broke down, had to be towed in and for information and soon we had given a restored for the nation, something the hundred lectures about it nation is still patiently awaiting. Trevithick 2004 saw the celebrations of technology came in for some criticism the world’s first railway journey in South when the axle of the 1804 replica broke Wales. The Camborne locomotive went while it was being driven. This was to Penydarren where it was joined by Tom miraculously replaced by a spare axle that Brogden’s replica of Trevithick’s 1803 arrived overnight; they’d had that trouble London Carriage and the local replica of before. his 1804 tram track locomotive. This was On leaving York we travelled a grand event with a pilgrimage to the with the Camborne locomotive to the

19 name of Trevithick. The interest created by Fred Dibnah, MBE was a great help. As soon as he came to Camborne, rode on the replica and realised that the first steam engines were built in Cornwall he became an enthusiastic advocate for Trevithick’s genius. He enjoyed the bit of information that had been passed up by other presenters and, whenever he had the opportunity, he would drop in the fact that ‘the first high-pressure steam engine were invented by a Cornishman called Richard Tre-viv-ick’. People listened to Fred, enjoyed his programmes and knew that he spoke with authority. It was now for others to follow. About this time John Woodward took over control of the locomotive and with Colin French recruited his crew of Mark Rivron and Sean Oliver. Over the years a number of books had been written to record the work of Trevithick. Jim Hodge’s celebrations at Penydarren, an event made little book went some memorable by the loco going through the way towards explaining the story but still wooden floor of the low loader. On another the world believed that James Watt had occasion it was invited to Lichfield at the invented the steam engine. request of JCB and now we’re making As the years went by the replicas plans to take it to France! of Trevithick’s early steam locomotives Maybe because it represented the made their way onto the little screens in oldest Trevithick locomotive or because of people’s sitting rooms and Tony Burton the media attention it attracted, the 1801 produced a successful book about replica has been one of a significant trio Trevithick, the Giant of Steam in time for the with the 1803 London Carriage and the 2001 celebrations. In 2004 the Royal Mint 1804 Penydarren loco. These replicas had struck nine million pounds worth of £2.00 been painstakingly built by their enthusiasts coins to commemorate the world’s first but languished far apart, connected by the railway journey and last year Trevithick’s strange but until recently unappreciated birthday was celebrated with an amusing

20 Google Doodle. All this recognition helps series of four programmes entitled the but the impression still lingers in people’s ‘Genius of Invention’. In this Dr Michael minds that Watt had invented the steam Mosley and his companions presented engines we all recognise and love and that the background to the technology we take Stephenson was the father of the railway for granted today. Their first programme, locomotive. entitled ‘Power’, concerned the use Meanwhile the little team that of energy to do work. In this they leapt supported the activities of the Camborne from Watt’s atmospheric engine to the steam carriage carried on climbing production of electricity by a Parson’s Camborne Hill and performing for the steam turbine. They completely omitted various television companies. The arrival of the steam powered reciprocating engine the book entitled ‘The Oblivion of Trevithick’ that drove the Industrial Revolution and was received in muted approbation by the produced the first supply of commercial engineering and railway press; disturbing electricity. These programmes came long held beliefs is very difficult. soon after Michael Portillo’s journey into No book is now written or the history of rail travel that started from television programme made about early Merthyr Tydfil without a mention of the steam power without a reference, no most hallowed length of track in the world. matter how small, to Richard Trevithick. Readers will just have to imagine An example was Dan Snow’s television the indignation expressed in e-mails from programme concerning the rise of the friends and members (some are both!) that railways that only made a fleeting mention arrived in my In Box. All this annoyance of the man who made the locomotive can be laid at the door of the programme possible. This was followed by the BBC2 planners, the presenters are only the 21 messengers; if it makes good television Society in many respects, by organising the true history goes out the window. The a programme of field meetings, and by BBC2 Genius … programme the following publishing books on mining, a quarterly week was entitled ‘Speed’ and dealt with the newsletter and British Mining. They rise of powered transport. In this Trevithick also have a substantial library and an and the Camborne locomotive took centre archive of mining plans and photographs, stage. His invention of the cylindrical etc, which are available for research boiler was heralded as the contribution purposes. They are also members of the that made all forms of transport possible. National Association of Mining History Of course, the same boiler could have Organisations, as is the Trevithick been included in the previous week’s show Society. about power but it would have spoilt the Further details can be found at: programming to have allowed Trevithick www.nmrs.org.uk to dominate both shows, as we believe he should rightfully have done. PETER EMBREY 1929-2010 But let’s look on the bright side. If similar programmes had been made ten years ago it’s very unlikely that Trevithick The Trevithick Society has only would have been mentioned. As it is, Mike recently learned, with regret, of the death of Mosley said in the Radio Times, ‘Everyone life member, Peter Embrey, on Christmas believes that James Watt was responsible Eve 2010. for the modern engine, but he wasn’t. … Following a private education basically, it was dead-end technology. Peter graduated in chemistry and Trevithick’s invention, however would mineralogy from Oxford in 1951. He was to become the father of the steam train and become a considerable figure in the field of the father of portable steam power.’ mineralogy almost from the time he joined On the programme he said the Mineralogy Department of the British that Trevithick was his hero out of all the Museum (Natural History) (BM[NH]), now inventors – ‘nuff said. the Natural History Museum, in 1956. It will take a long time to None other than Sir Arthur Russell had successfully assert Richard Trevithick’s drawn the post to his attention. rightful place as the inventor of the high- Born in Birmingham to a family pressure steam engine that powered of bakers from Stoke-on-Trent, Peter’s transport and industry but we’ll keep family had strong Cornish connections trying. and the county was dear to his heart. His book, Minerals of Cornwall and Devon, P.M.H. written with Bob Symes, was published by the Mineralogical Record and BM NORTHERN MINES (NH) in 1987. He also contributed a RESEARCH SOCIETY foreword to the reprint of Greg & Lettsom’s British Mineralogy, and was a consultant on mineralogical terms to the Oxford The Northern Mine Research English Dictionary and the Encyclopaedia Society is a Britannica. group of people Peter had been a Life Member of dedicated to the the Society since 1956. I am indebted to a preservation and memorial article in Rocks and Minerals by recording of mining Alan D Hart and Chris J Stanley for details history. Judging of Peter Embrey’s life and career. by their website, they are similar Graham Thorne to the Trevithick

22 SOCIETY MEETINGS

Society Programme

Friday 12th April. KEM. Saturday July 13th. ECB. Sark’s Hope Silver Mine. by Pete Joseph. Memories of machines and men A walk amongst the remains of a Cornish Saturday 20th April. ECB. mine by John and Cheryl Manley. Meet 1.30pm Calstock Station Car park. 1100 at the Crows Nest Inn car park. Stout Calstock a Victorian Inland Port. A walk footwear recommended. around the Danescombe Valley and Calstock. by Steve Docksey, experienced The West Cornwall Branch meets at King guide and local historian. Stout footwear Edward Mine (KEM) at 7.30pm on the 2nd recommended. Friday of the month.

Saturday 27th April. The East Cornwall Branch (ECB) meets at Camborne Trevithick Day. the Public Rooms at Liskeard and start at 7.30pm, unless stated otherwise. Sunday 28th April. King Edward Mine open day. Free entry Contacts and entertainment for all the family. Colin Short, 10-12th May AGM Weekend. Programme Secretary, St. Agnes Area. A weekend of talks and 22, Lower Woodside, walks. St.Austell. 01726 61697. Friday 14th June. KEM. [email protected] The Luxulyan Valley and its friends. by Hazel Harradence. John and Cheryl Manley Saturday 15th June. ECB. East Cornwall Branch, The Industrial History of Moorswater. 28 Fairfield, A walk by Iain Rowe of the Caradon Hill St. Germans. Area Heritage project. Stout footwear PL12 5LR recommended. Meet 1100 at Coombe 01503 230768 Station, Moorswater, Liskeard [email protected]

Tuesday July 9th. ECB. For up-to-date news follow us at: William West - The last great Cornish http://teammanley-ts.blogspot.com engineer? An illustrated talk by John Manley. This Non members are welcome to all talks. talk will be followed by a walk on Caradon moor illustrating some of West’s work. AGM 2013 Friday 12th July. KEM. Members Symposium: The Tin Smelting Industry. The AGM weekend for 2013 will be centred on St. Agnes and the AGM and the Annual Dinner will be at the Tywarnhaile Inn at Perranporth on Saturday, May 11th. 2013.

23 TREVITHICK SOCIETY OFFICERS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES

East Cornwall Branch John and Cheryl Manley 28 Fairfield President: Bryan Earl St. Germans Cornwall PL12 5LR 01503 230768 Chairman: Philip Hosken [email protected] 3 Park Road Redruth TR15 2JD Communications Officer: [email protected] Kenn Shearer [email protected] Tel: 01209 832039 Vice-chairman/Promotions Officer: Kingsley Rickard [email protected] Tel: 01209 716811 Treasurer: Chris Coombes

Hon. Secretary: Roger Mason PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN The Trevithick Society, a registered Tel: 01872 553488 charity, is a recognised body of the study [email protected] of industrial archaeology in Cornwall. Membership is open to all who are interested in the region’s great industrial Publications Secretary & past, whether or not they live in Cornwall. Journal Editor: The Society takes its name from one of Graham Thorne Britain’s foremost inventors and pioneers 11, Heriot Way, Great Totham, of the Industrial Revolution, Richard Maldon, Essex CM9 8BW Trevithick, a Cornishman whose name Tel: 01621 892896 is inseparable from the development [email protected] of steam power. This newsletter is published quarterly and, together with the annual journal, is distributed free to Newsletter Editor: Dr. Colin French members. Letters and contributions are 12 Seton Gardens, Weeth Road, always welcome and should be sent Camborne, Kernow. TR14 7JS. direct to the editor. Tel: 01209 613942 [email protected] The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Trevithick Society. Membership & Subscriptions: ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Sheila Saunders PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN Student members (under 21) ...... £5.00 [email protected] Individual members ...... £20.00 Family/joint members ...... £25.00 Overseas members...... £25.00 Curator: Corporate members ...... £25.00 Pete Joseph PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN [email protected] The Chatline: 01209 716811 © The Trevithick Society, Spring 2013. http://www.trevithick-society.org.uk Integral Print Services (i-Print), Redruth (01209) 204231 Registered Charity No. 246586 24